What's the scoop on the relatively new Tamiya M109A6 Paladin Iraq War. Scalemates indicates that it has new parts but doesn't specify. Is it still basically just a rebox of the Italeri kit? How does it compare to the AFV offering? Thanks.

The "Iraq War" version is their second rebox of the Italeri Paladin kit.

The original issue had a few extra parts such as the radiator drain hose, blanking disks for the sprockets, screen for the exhaust, and a few others. It also included the two accessory sprues from their ODS Bradley for some gear, CIPs, figures, spare road wheels, and paper MRE boxes, etc.

The latest "Iraq War" boxing also comes with PE screens for the turret baskets and new decals.

The AFV Club M109A6 Paladin is much more/better detailed and more accurate. It is light-years ahead of the old Italeri kits.

Thanks Gino. Just to be clear then, the only upgrade from the previous renditions is the inclusion of screens (PE) for the stowage basket. Thanks.

Not exactly. It comes with Paladin missing parts in the Italeri box except correct tracks and upper hull. You still need to remove the banana shape part from the old flotation kit.I built the Italeri one a few weeks ago and was quite happy after some extra work.

However, if you don't have one in your stash yet, I fully agree with Gino, go for the AFV Club offering. It is far superior and build into a correct A6 straight from the box.

Not exactly. It comes with Paladin missing parts in the Italeri box except correct tracks and upper hull. You still need to remove the banana shape part from the old flotation kit.

Right, we are talking about the original Tamiya reboxing. The "Iraq War" version only adds PE screens to the prior Tamiya boxing.

The most recent Italeri boxing has "new" tracks (which are still incorrect for an M109A6 as they are the older T-136 tracks, not newer T-154 tracks). The Italeri one still has the original hull with flotation gear as well.

Only the AFV Club kit is correct w/out the flotation gear and other details, but has soft rubber T-154 tracks. They look good, but some may want to use indi-link plastic or metal T-154 track replacements.

Italeri/Testors/Matchbox/Revell/Academy/Tamiya: Same basic plastic, Tamiya added and replaced some bits but they are basically the same. They have all added and replaced parts, Italeri have made a number of variants by adding parts to the original molds.Revell released their boxing of the German version of the A3 in 1995 and the Paladin in 2002./ Robin

They are currently being fielded to units. I believe a couple Bns worth (36) have been fielded so far.

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Crikey! Thought that was an Elefant (minus gun) in the background there

Nope, it's an M992A3 FAASV (Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle); ammo carrier fo the gun. It would be great if someone would offer a model of one. A couple companies have announced them, but nothing yet.